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Lost in Space: Data Recovery

Lost in Space: Data Recovery

People who thrive on pressure and those who need to be needed are perfect for the data retrieval business. Expertise in data retrieval is highly valued, and people who love computers find this is a challenging field. They get to play detective, solve problems, and save the day. When clients need you in this business, they really need you. This is a specialized computer consulting field that combines a high level of knowledge of computer hardware and software with excellent communications skills. This business needs someone who can retrieve data while managing to control a company’s stress level. For these special people, this can be a lucrative business.

Most businesses today—especially online businesses—would be out of business without their computer data system. Real world businesses would not be able to operate sales equipment such as cash registers and credit card scanners. The accounting departments would come to a standstill. Mail order would not happen. Transportation systems would be grounded.

Technology has given us the means of storing tremendous amounts of information on plated disks. Businesses throughout the world now rely on such technology stored on hard disk drives. Unfortunately, that data is not always safe. The Wall Street crash of 1929 seems harmless compared with the possibility of a systems crash in the high tech business world. In addition to crashing, data on hard disk drives can become corrupted, burned, flooded, or otherwise lost through hardware or software malfunction, a computer virus, a natural disaster, human error, or in some cases, a computer crime from overt industrial espionage to intentional tampering by disgruntled employees. Then there is electromagnetic failure or other outside power problems. A head crash, for example, can happen if pieces of lint or other microscopic speck gets into the drive.

This is a very specialized skill and there are no magic shortcuts. Despite a rash of new companies, there are only a handful of legitimate, full-service, professional recovery services.

Data recovery is a critical business necessity that is usually overlooked by organizations until they find themselves with a problem, which typically results in high costs, both financially and from a customer relations point of view, said Steve Nober, president of Valtron Technologies (valtron.com). Fortunately, there are modern solutions for recovering valuable data. Like it or not, there will always be some downtime in a computer world. Quick fix solutions or poorly thought out recovery attempts can make it worse.

The need for data retrieval is so great that in July 1996, one of the handful of full-service data retrieval services, Valtron, in Valencia, California, was recapitalized to support the rapid growth of the mass data storage industry.

Valtron was founded in 1987 and has become the worldwide leader in the drive support industry, servicing a customer base ranging from computer dealers and distributors to corporate networks, and PC users nationwide including many Fortune 500 companies, universities, and state and federal government.

Aver Drivetronix (averdrivetronics.com), of Palm Desert, California, claims to work around the clock and can sometimes turn a job around in one day. A senior data recovery engineer oversees the entire project.

Data recovery is a two step process. When data retrieval experts receive a damaged drive, they diagnose and report the problem, usually within twenty-four hours. They then make a detailed analysis and report of the problem and describe the measures needed to recover the lost data. Then, if possible, they repair the drive. There are many options to recover the data. For example, one could select only to recover most critical lost data, rather than paying to retrieve all of it, including insignificant files. This across-the-board retrieval to save everything will cost more. During the data recovery process, expert technicians must give superior care to the client’s data, while keeping the client informed every step of the way.

Millions of dollars can be spent by a data retrieval service for testing equipment. A data retrieval company needs sufficient laboratory space as well as a certified Class 100 clean room in which to open any hard disk drive. Some full service providers employ as many as 125 associates including consultants. The Class 100 clean room is where any hard disk drive is opened to prevent further damage to the vital data on the drive. The clean room needs advanced air filtration systems because the hard disk drives are extremely sensitive to the environment. For example, the media inside the head disk assembly (HAD) spins from a minimum of 4,500 rpm up to 10,000 rpm. This allows the heads to travel above the media virtually on a film of air. So any debris such as dust, hair, or lint that comes into contact with the HDA can destroy recoverable data or even render the drive absolutely useless by causing something called a head crash.

Data retrievers need to know most platforms and hardware specs including UNIX, Windows, Macintosh, OS/2, Xenix, DOS, SyQuest, Sun Bernoulli, Banyan Vines, and more. Data engineers are disk subsystem experts in reviving the repairing drives and damaged file structures.

A full-service provider targets not only repair, but how to manage data with a regular service program. This is a program where the provider manages and repairs the entire data storage inventory then works with the client to develop economic strategies and ways to maximize the prevention of future loss.

Costs vary widely. Successful recoveries typically range from $500 to $3,000. Free evaluation takes up to a day and half. Many recoveries can be made within a day or two. Consultants don’t earn anything unless they are successful. A full-service data retrieval firm may bill at $200 or more an hour, but some consultants may charge less.

As any data retriever will tell you, it’s not a question of if you need them, it’s when.

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